Stainless Steel California Clip & Spey Blade

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With the look of aged bone as soon as it leaves the box, the 4-1/8-inch Yellow Trapper pocketknife from W.R. Case & Sons adds modern high carbon vanadium stainless steel to a time-tested pocketknife pattern. With spey and California clip blades 3-1/4 inches long, this fine pocket folder offers nearly full-sized function in a small package.

Neither blade of this older but still popular knife locks in position when open, but the spring tension bars hold the blades firmly in both closed and open positions. Open with the thumbnail notch in the blade's spine, and close again with steady pressure on the back of the blade. Action gets easier with use and care -- a drop of oil now and then is helpful, even though the blades are corrosion-resistant stainless. Solid nickel bolsters and brass liners hold up to hard use with minimal care.

Although the pinned handle slabs look like bone, this is actually a synthetic called Delrin which Case has used for many years. Nearly indestructible, the yellow grips also make the knife easier to spot when dropped in tall grass or leaves. Of course you'd never make that mistake, but just in case you do, you'll find it makes a lot more sense than camouflage.

The Case Trapper's spey blade was designed for minor surgeries on farm animals, but as the name implies, it also was a favorite of trappers who needed a good but light skinning blade. The California clip serves well as a fishing knife, but both blades will find frequent use even if you spend most of your time in the office or warehouse.

If you'd like a darker jigged bone pattern, try the Amber Bone Trapper -- the same knife with a different look.